Centrifugal separator



rented Dec. l6, lgiail.

WILBUR H. PECK, 01E 110$ ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

GENTRIFUGAL SEPARA'I'OR.

Application filed March 2, 1922, Serial No. 540,482. Renewed June 21, 1924.

1 '0 all 'w/zom it may concern.

Be it known that I, WILBUR H. Prion. a citizen. of the nited States, residing in the city of Les An eles, Los Angeles County, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Separators. of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for separation of materials of different degrees of specific gravity and compositions. more especially mineral containing substance while in a finely divided state, and mixed with water, wherein centrifugal force. coordinating with resisting liquid currents are used to effect such separation.

The main objects of my invention are to create a separator of an economical and highly practicable character and with high efficiency in effecting the separation dc... 'd. and I accomplish these objects by the means and mechanism herein below described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is partly a side elevation and partly a vertical central section of my centrifugal separator, also showing some parts broken away.

1 2 is partly a front end elevation and par .v a cross section of my separator,

especially showing the relative assemblage of the central or rotatable parts and the inner construction of some of such parts.

Fig. is a top plan of one of the separating members detached and enlarged.

Fig. .t is a vertical longitudinal section of a separating member taken on line il-4i of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Fig. 5 a detached and enlarged longitudiual central section of one of the discharge nipples or separating members through which the coarser material is dis ch arged.

In making my improved centrifugal separator I provide a central rotatable receiving member 2, which I prefer to form as a comparatively short tube shaped bowl or drum of appropriate dimensions.

This receiving member is shown partly in side elevation and partly in central long tudinal sections in Fig. 1, and partly in cross section, and partly indicated in front elevation b? dotted lines in Fig. It is prefv inane of metal turned true and concentric, adapted to high speed of rotation. It is provided with an internal receiving chamber 2, and at its bottom or inn r end has a central hub 3, by which it is gidly and concentrically mounted on a hori ontai shaft a.

The shaft is journaled in boxes 5 and 6. which are carried on the upper ends of stands 7 and 8, which in turn are mounted on a base plate 9, of the separator. The shaft may be rotated as desired by a pulley 10, from any suitable source of power, and carries withv it in rotation the receiving member 2.

Secured on the outer circumference of the receiving member in position extending out radially are mounted multiple septurating members 11, which are preferably curved. at their points of contact with the receiving member, as shown in Figs. 2 and i. so these portions of the separating members will conform to the curvature of the outer circumference of the receiving member and fit evenly and tightly thereon.

The members 11, are provided with appropriate flanges 12, through which they are secured by the receiving member, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by screw bolt 13. They have open tops when removed, as especially shown in Figs. 8 and 4:.

To serve as one head for closure of the receiving member to the extent desired, and to assist in forming a comparatively even exterior to the rotatable receiv' and separating members, as well as to assist in maintaining the separating members in place while under centrifugal stress during operation, I provide a metal. disc or plate 1 1, which is secured to the end of the 1'QC( i\- ing member by the screw bolt 15.

There is also a metal plate 16, mounted on the other end of the receiving member, which, with the plate let, as s in ctinn' more even contour of the rotating parts, as well as assisting in maintaininsz' the separating members in place by er trunnions or projections 17, as illusti which are rigidly secured to the Si: the separating members.

To t .rthcr effect as nearly as practicable, a conuniratively even exterior surface to the assembled rotatable parts of the separator. t-herebr "1". Fiction in operation and ents generated in rotation, ing to greater safety, I provide a peripheral band or covering 18, which is preferably carried by the circumferential edges of the plates 1e and 16.

The separating members are provided with separating chambers 19, preferably contracting in size in direction from the axis of rotation, and there is preferably provided within these chambers a desired number of partitions or ballles 20, fixed with respect to the separating members, which I will term separating baliles, extending between the side walls of the separating members transversely to the course of rotation.

These baliles are prefe 'ably comparatively wide and thin and positioned radially edgeways, with their inner edges far enough from the outer circumference of the receiving member to leave comparatively small de sired space between them and such circumference, for flow of parts of the separated pulp, while the outer edges extend out only part way to the discharge passages of the separating chamber, as illustrated.

During operation the separating chamber being full of pulp, the coarser and unseparated portion of the pulp in transit through the separating chamber will flow across adjacentto the outer edges of these battles, and the finer parts of the pulp, as the same is sept ate d, will flow inwardly between the s'epar-ating battles and across or adja'c-ei'it to their inner edges, and over the inner edge of a discharge baffle or partition 21, into the discharge chamber 22.

In addition to the separating battles 2G, I provide a baffle or partition 23, which I will term a feed batlle, also positioned in the separating chamber transversely to the course of rotation, and with its inner edges contacting tightly with the outer circumf rence of the receiving member so that pulp will not flow between these parts.

This feed baffle extends outward preferably about the same distance as the separating baffles 20, and forms with the wall of the separating member a passage 2%, which I will term a feed cl'iamber, for receiving and guiding flow of pulp from the receiving member, into the separating chamber, within the zone of the outer edges of the separat ing baffles. The er of such pulp from there, flows up between the separating battles and over the of the "discharge baffle 21, intcthe discharge chamber 22, and to discharge through the discharge openings 25, which indicated in dotted lines, as hereinafter more fully explained. The pulp passes from the receiving chamber 2, into the feed passage, through openings 26, in the wall of the receiving member.

During this time, the separated coarse parts of the pulp pass outwardly from the separz ing battles to discharge through the discharge opening 537-, in the nipple 28, at the outer part of the separating chamber,

as also hereinafter more fully explained. These nipples may be termed either discharge or separating nipples, as they-enter into the performance of both functions.

The feed baffle or partition 23, and the feed chamber 24:, are preferably positioned in the separating member to lead the ballles 20 and the chamber- 22, in the path of rota tion, so that pulp delivered into the separating chamber will course backwards therein, in the path of rotation during operation. Such arrangement of these parts in the separating members operate with greater etlici'en'cy than when ar anged otherwise.

To assist in more complete separation of the pulp and prevent any considerable part of the finer thereof from being discharged with the coarser parts, I provide a secondary chamber 29, which is preferably positioned outward radially from the separating chamher, with a comparatively small central opening, in the peripheral wall 29 between these two chambers.

The separating member preferably terminates in contracted form or funnel shaped inv direction outward from the axis, and as illust "ated in the drawings, the secondary chamber is best located in the contracted portion. The outer ends of the so 1 rating members 11 are provided with screw threaded opening 28, which extend into the secondary chambers through which the nipples 28, are inserted for purposes of assisting separation of the pulp, to the extent desired, as hereinafter explained. The nipples also serve as means for assisting to provide a contracted discharge opening '27, for discharge of separated coarser material.

Around the feed opening at the central portion or" the receiving member concentrically mounted on the plate 14, as especially illustrated in Fig. 1, I provide a water receiving member 30, with a chamber 31., adapted to connect with radial pipes 32, which pipes at their outer ends are connected with chambers 33, in the respective separating members. These chambers 33, communicate with the secondary chamber, through openings 34, illustrated in Fig. 1.

As will be seen, the nipples 28, extend up through the secondary chambers, and are provided at their inner ends with inserted, parts 35, Fig. 6, the outer portions oi which parts are adapted to enter the openings in the wall between the separating and the secondary chambers, as illustrated in the drawing. The inserted parts 35, are pro vided with an opening 86, through which the coarser separated material may pass from the separating chamber into the interior bore or chamber 37 of the nipples.

The nipples 28, are provided through that portion of their walls which are positioned within "the secondary chamber, with. suitable openings 88, through which water intro lit) emme g duced into said secondary chambers by means of the part 30, with its cooperating connections, may pass into the chamber 37, in the nipple and flow in part up through the opening 36, towards the axis, and in part to discharge through the outer openings 27, in the nipples, with the coarser separated material from the separating chamber.

The purpose of this arrangement is to prevent, by resisting inward flow of water through the opening 36, the outward passage of finest substances of the pulp to discharge with the coarser portions passing through the hole 27, thereby effecting a more nearly complete separation of the coarse and fine, the nipples therefore not only serve for purposes of assisting separation through the openings 36, but also as discharge mediums for the coarser material through their openings 27. These nipples with their inserted parts 35, may be unscrewed and removed from the separating members if desired, as illustrated by the removed nipple in Fig. 5.

As shown in the drawings, a launder 39, is formed encircling the rotating parts of the separator. This launder is provided with two annular compartments l0 and all, respectively, and the compartments have an nular slots 42 and 43, opening towards the axis of the separator, which are adapted to receive the materials delivered from the separating chambers through their discharge openin To enable the coarser and finer materials to be radially delivered by their respective discharge openings, into the separate and appropriate compartments of the launder, for final discharge from the separator, these discharge openings are positioned a sumciently short distance apart in direction along the axis, to permit of radial alignment with the annular slots in the launder, so the material discharged will be thrown through such slots and into their appropriate compartments and be separately discharged through the extended end of the launder.

The separator is provided with a feed pipe 44, which is intended, to connect with any suitable source of supply of finely divided and emulsified material or pulp to be sep arated, and is also intended to be provided with a valve, not shown, for governing) the How of such pulp to the separator. The pipe 44, has a suitable part which passes through the central opening to the receiving member terminating in position to deliver feed of pulp into the receiving chamber of the separator.

As means for supplying water or other liquid for use in the secondary chamber 29, for use in the nipple 28, I provide a water supply pipe 45, which may be connected with any appropriate source of supply of water for this purpose.

The pulp feed pipe at, is supported and held to place by a stand 46, mounted on the base plate of the separator, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

In operation the separator is rotated at a requisite comparatively high rate of speed to develop sufficient centrifugal force for effecting separation desired, and pulp for separation is introduced into the receiving member througl'i its :t'eed pipe 44, in sufficient quantities to keep the separating chambers full of pulp, and in quantity largely in excess oi what will pass through the discharge opening 27, for the coarser parts of material.

The pulp from the receiving member iasses through the opening 26, into the feed passage or chamber 24;, of the separating member, and is delivered from such passage along the zone of the outer edges of the separating bafiies in me separating cham ber 19.

The pulp then flows in part, transversel across the outer extremities of the separating baffles and acrops the openings or spaces between these battles in a direction backwards to the movement oi rotation, such general course being indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2.

During this time the finer parts of the pulp are carried up by the flow of liquid, between and above such battles towards the axis, and also along backwards in the path of rotation across above the inner edges oi such battles to discharge over the inner edge of the discharge bah le 21, into the discharge chamber 22, -for the fine, and from there out "5 the separating member through the peripheral discharge opening 25, of the dis charge chamber. which discharge ope; is indicated in dotted lines, and into its appropriate compartment of the launder, for de livery from the separator through the ct:- tended portion 4:7, of the launder. The direction of travel of the rotatable parts of the separator. is indicated by the large arrows in Fig. 2.

As the pulp passes into the separating chamber, and across the outer edges of the separating bullies, as just above explained, the coarser parts are separated and pre tated outward by the action of cen-trit force, and are carried through the opening 36, at the outer part of the .ra chain-- her, into the here or chamber 37, of the dis-- char e nipple 2S, and trom there out the opening 27. in the outer part of the nipple, into its appropriate compartment of the launder, and to final delivery separately from the fine through the extended portion l, of: the launder.

During this operation, water flows into the bore or chamber 37, of the discharge nipples, as has been above explained, in sufiicient quantities so that part of such we will pass inwardly towards the of rota-.-

tion through the opening 36, at the inner end of the nipple, and aiiord sufficient resistance to prevent any substantial amount of the fine part of the pulp which would incidently flow through these openings to discharge with the coarse, from so passing with the coarre, but however, such How of water is not intended to be suiii *iently' strong to prevent the coarser materials from entering the chamber 37, nd passing out of the outer end of the nipples.

T 1e amount of water which should be supplied to the chamber 37 of the nipples, depends on the conditions of operation and the material to be separated which in some instances best serves the purpose to be in quantity only to substantially equal the amount of liquid discharged through the outer holes 2-? in the nipples.

W hat I regard as new and desire to secure by patent is:

1. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable member provided with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, a peripherally diverging separating member thereon, having a separating chamber provided with discharge openings for the respective separated constituents of the pulp, means communicating from the receiving chamber to the separating chamber for flow of pulp to the latter, baffles within the separating chamber positioned transversely to the path of rotation of the receiving member, means for supporting and rotating the receiving and separating members and means for supplying pulp to the receiving chamber, substantially as described.

2. In a centrifugal separator, the combi nation of a rotatable member provided with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, removable radially diverging open top members mounted thereon, having separating chambers terminating in discharge openings for the respective separated portions of pulp, means communicating from the receiving chamber to the separating rhambers for flow of pulp to the latter, baffles within the separating chambers positioned transversely to the course of rotation, means for supporting and rotating the separating and receiving members, and means for sug n vlying pulp to the receiving chamber substantially as described.

In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable receiving member pmvidcd with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, radially diverging open top removable separating members thereon, having separating chambers With openings for discharge of the respective constituents of the separated pulp, baffles within the separating chambers, fixed with respect to the separating members and extending in direction transverse to the path of rotation of such members, means for introducing pulp to the receiving chambers and means for supporting and rotating the receiving and separating members, substantially described.

l. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable member, provided with a receiving chamber for pulp, a removable peripherally diverging member thereon having a separating chamber provided with a passage for feed of pulp to said chamber in position therein leading in rotation of said member, and a passage for discharge of finer material positioned following said feed passage, in rotation, a separating baffle within said separating chamber positioned therein'radially from the axis and transversely to the course of rotation, interposed between said feed passage and discharge passage, means for introducing pulp to the separating member and means for supporting and rotating the receiving and separating members, substantially a described.

5. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable member provided with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, peripherally diverging members therefrom, having separating chambers provided with openings for discharge of the respective portions of the separated pulp, and separating chambers provided with feed passages in position at their ends leading in direction of rotation, multiple separating baiiies within the separating chambers extending radially from the axis and transversely to the path of'rotati-on of the separating members and positioned behind said feed passage with respect to the direction of rotation, means for introducing pulp to the separating member, and means for rotating the receiving and separating members, substantially as described.

6. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable receiving member, provided with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, a separating member having a pulp feed passage thereto, in position leading in direction of rotation, and a discharge passage following in rotation, said separating member provided with a sec ondary chamber communicating with the separating chamber through a passage adapted to deliver low of liquid. to resist discharge of finer portions of pulp, meansfor supplying liquid to said secondary chamber irrespective of feed of pulp, "mans for supporting and rotating the receiving and separating members and means for catching and delivering separately from the separator, the respective separated parts of the separated pulp, substantially as described. 7, In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable receivin member, provided with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, 21 separating member having a pulp feed passage thereto in posit on leading in direction of rotation and a discharge passage following in direction of ing the r ceiving and separating members,

means tor catcl'ung and delivering septi From the separator the respective separate-(l constituents of the pulp, substantially as described.

8. in a centrifugal separator, the combi nation o1 a rotatable receiving member, provided with a chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, separating members having separating chambers with feed passages thereto, and discharge passages for dis charge of the respective parts of the separated material, said separating men'ihers provided with secondary chambers communicating with the separating chambers through passages adapted to deliver resisting flow of liquid to discharge of finer portions of pulp, with the coarser portions, a ren'iovable separating and discharge member, extending substantially through the secondary chamber, and communicating with the separating chamber, means for supplying liquid to said secondary chamber irrespective of feed of pulp, and means for supporting and rotating the receiving and separating members, substantially as described.

9. In a centrifugal. separator, the combination of a rotatable member provided with a receivin chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, removable peripherally extended separating members, contracting in size in direction outward from the axis of the separator, provided with a separating chamber and a discharge chamber having openings for separate discharge of the respective parts of the separated pulp, said separating member provided with a secondary chamber positioned outward from the separating chamber, having an opening into said separating chamber and provided with a peripheral opening, a separating and dis charge nipple inserted in such peripheral openin extending through the secondary chamber and communicating with the sepa rating chamber through a comparatively small passage adapted to eliect discharge of coarser material from the separating chamber, said nipple provided with a liquid passage through its wall within the secondary chamber, adapted to receive flow of liquid from the secondary chamber, means for introducing liquid into the secondary chamber, and means for rotating the receiving and separating members, substantially as described.

10. In a centrifugal separator, the combination of a rotatable receiving member provided with a' chamber adapted to receive pulp for separation, separating members having separating chambers with a pulp feed passage from the receiving chamber thereto positioned to precede the separating chambers in direction of rotation, and a discharge channel f-or discharge of finer parts of the pulp from the separating chamber following said separating chambers in rotation, multiple baffles in the separating chamber positioned radially outward from the axis of the separator and transversely to the path of rotation and having a passage between their inner edges and the outer periphery of the receiving member, means for introduction of pulp to the receiving member, means or supporting and rotating the receiving and separating members, and means encircling the separating members adapted to catch and deliver separately from the separator, the respective portions of the separated pulp, substantially as de scribed- WILBUR H. PECK, 

